Page 174 of Only Ever You

“This is our reality. It’s us.” I take her hand, threading our fingers together. “And just so we’re clear, there’s no way I’m keeping my distance after tonight.”

She rises onto her toes and presses a soft kiss to my lips. “Coffee tomorrow? I have practice, but I’ll be free around noon.”

“Send me the address to your rink. I’ll pick you up.”

“Deal.”

I let go of her hand and take a step back. I miss her warmth instantly, but with a deep breath, I head into the main room with her by my side.

Just before we reach the doors, I lean in. “Pack a bag. You’re staying with me tomorrow.” My mouth brushes her ear. “And don’t make any other plans. I’m going to fuck you slowly and thoroughly. Two years can’t be made up for in an hour.”

“Michael.” With a swat to my chest, she giggles and then walks away.

Laughing under my breath, I head toward the bar, where Emily is chatting with a small group of people, my mood lighter than it’s been in years.

CHAPTER FORTY-SIX

claiming you

MICHAEL

Twenty-two years old

Shivers run down my spine as I approach the ice. The temperature inside the arena is far colder than outside. My heart thrashes against my ribs, anticipation taking over.

If not for the years I’ve worked to be disciplined to play hockey, I wouldn’t have survived last night’s gala. All I wanted was to be with Isla. Thankfully, we weren’t seated too far away from each other, so we spent most of the night stealing glances and texting back and forth. And since we each sent about eighty messages, we definitely had a lot to say.

At the unmistakable sound of blades carving the ice, a smile curves my lips. I’ve watched every competition over the last two years, and I’ve seen dozens of reels she posted after practices, but none of that could come close to seeing her skate in real life.

She is remarkable.

Always has been.

There’s no music, no other people. Just her, the ice, and the sound of her blades echoing across the rink. Like always, it’s clear she belongs on the ice. She reigns over the place, setting her own rules, making it look so easy. Her movements are precise, every jump perfect, every transition smooth and controlled, just like every landing is clean.

At the boards, I stop, and memory after memory resurfaces, starting with the day she first stepped onto the ice when she was five. She was so excited, and she didn’t cry at all, no matter how many times she fell. Aunt Bella was terrified afterward when she discovered all the bruises on her daughter’s legs, but Isla only shrugged and said she’d do better next time. And she did. She fucking did. With each year, with every practice, she honed her skills, becoming the best of the best.

The way she skates now is different. She’s no longer trying to prove anything. She’s refining what she already knows, perfecting every jump, every landing. No matter the outcome of the Olympic games in February, she will always be a winner in my eyes.

She builds speed down the long side of the rink, knees soft, arms loose. The long backward approach tells me she’s preparing for a Lutz.

She uses a toe pick to lift off, holding the outside edge until the very last moment. Then, she launches herself upward. One, two, three, four rotations.

My breath gets stuck in my throat as I watch her. Holy shit.

She lands on the opposite outside edge. Then, without slowing, she continues her routine as if she hasn’t done anything extraordinary.

My chest tightens. Isla nailed a Quadruple Lutz.

She’s flawless.

Eventually, she slows, her breathing evening out—inhale, exhale, like she’s counting in her head.

The arena no longer feels cold. My skin is warm, a hot and familiar fire reigniting in my gut. All it took was watching her in her element. In her world.

Understanding settles deep in my chest. I didn’t just miss her. I missed this—watching her do what she was born to do, watching her chase her dreams while being unapologetically exceptional.

Hands on her knees, she bends at the waist, her breathing still rhythmic. When she straightens, our eyes meet, and the smile that breaks over her lips makes my heart flutter.